Treating Your TMJ Symptoms with an Occlusal Adjustment

Get relief from chronic jaw pain with one simple procedure.

TMJ Symptoms

There is no need to live with chronic pain due to TMJ disorder. Such symptoms may include:

Inability to open the mouth widely

Popping, grating or clicking noises when opening or closing the mouth

Pain in the face, jaw, head, neck or shoulder area when you speak, yawn or chew

Mouth gets stuck in the open or closed position

Earaches & Headaches

Toothaches

Why Do I Have TMJ Pain?

The exact cause of TMJ pain remains a mystery; however, we know that factors contributing to jaw pain include:

Bruxism

Arthritis

Trauma

Stop Jaw Pain for Good Occlusal Adjustment

What Is Occlusion?

Occlusion is the way your upper and lower teeth come together in relation to your jaw joint. When this relationship is not right, bite problems, TMJ symptoms, and muscle pain can result. Whatever the cause of your TMJ symptoms may be, you can rest assured Dr. Harper will accurately diagnose and treat your jaw issues quickly. He has received extensive TMJ and occlusal training from several leading educational facilities for occlusion studies.

What Is an Occlusal Adjustment?

Because your jaw muscles are so strong, when you clench and grind your teeth, the forces exerted upon your teeth and jaw cause wear, breakage and muscle fatigue. An occlusal adjustment, or bite realignment, is a routine procedure used to correct these problems. Dr. Harper will have you bite down on a piece of colored paper which will leave marks on your teeth. These marks indicate the areas that are not meeting correctly, which can cause excessive forces on your teeth. Dr. Harper will then smooth away these interfering areas. These areas if left untreated can lead to excessive wear, cracked or loose teeth, and gum line breakdown (abfraction).

Dr. George Harper proudly serves patients in Rio Rancho, NM. He has attended both The Dawson Academy and The Pankey Institute for occlusal studies, the Piper Institute for TMD education, making him an ideal doctor to diagnose and treat your TMJ and bite problems. Please call us today to schedule your appointment.

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Dr. George Harper has put my smile back, I noticed that I was not smiling as much in my photos, but now my husband said that I smile all the time. It's because of the professional work that Dr. Harper, and his staff delivered. My veneers look like my teeth 10 years ago. I am more confident every time I smile.

---- Elizabeth T.

He is gentle when doing the work, he wants to know how I am the whole time, to make sure that there are no problems. I would recommend Dr. Harper and Harper Smiles to anyone in need of general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry or just about any kind of work you might need. Check him out, you will love what you find.

---- Steve M.

Great! Last visit after many appts for getting dentures. Dr. Harper and his staff have been great to work with! Thanks!

---- Charles G.

Dr. Harper is always very professional and pleasant to work with as well as his staff-always nice & professional.